Beijing Review

An in depth look at the Capital. Get to those hidden sites that you would not otherwise have time for in and around Beijing.

We travel by various modes in and around this glorious city to some of the hidden gems that only locals and long-term residents know about.

We will have a knowledgeable guide to bring each site to life since many are not even mentioned in the more common guidebooks.

In the evenings we will take you for sumptuous dinners with a local style to suit your own preferences.

N.B. This Journey is intended as an extension to our other options. It therefore starts from your hotel in Beijing.

Features
Maximum Group Size: we strongly believe that the coherence of the group is important, especially at mealtimes. We therefore limit the number of travellers to 10. This allows the group, with their guide, to sit comfortably at one table in most Chinese establishments.

Standards: You can click on any service title below to read a description of the standards that apply. This link takes you to the relevant page.
Accommodation
4-Star Hotel - 2 nights
Meals
Breakfasts - 2
Lunches - 3
Dinners - 2
Activities
Lessons - 1
Extra Services
Extra Accommodation: you may want to book extra nights before or after the tour. We will do our best to book you at the same hotel, usually in the same room, as on your chosen journey.

You will be given an opportunity to purchase extra nights once you reach the Shopping Cart.
Connecting Flights: we can arrange domestic flights within China to get you to or from your international portal.

We have listed a number of standard routes in the price list as an indication. If you do not see the route you want, or any other service, please just email and ask.

Follow this link to see more details about the Extra Services that we offer.

Prices for Extra Services relevant to this itinerary are shown on the Extras and Extensions tab.
Inclusions
Journey Leader: Your group will be lead by a suitably qualified guide. This person is our representative and has responsibility for delivering the travel services according to your itinerary. They will also act as your guide at sites.
Food & drink: we include many meals throughout the journey, especially breakfasts at hotels and when the group are travelling together.

A soft drink is included with each lunch or dinner and tea/coffee and juice for breakfasts.

We do leave some meals free for you to go off on your own and explore. You can see which meals are included on the day-by-day itinerary.
Entrance Fees: We include the cost of entrance fees to all sites listed in your itinerary. You should allow some money for other sites that you may wish to visit on your own. Not all sites have an entrance fee.
Gratuities: We have included gratuities for service providers encountered on a normal journey, and for expected levels of service.
Exclusions
We do not sell flights to China. Your package includes only services in China. Flights from China can be purchased as an Extra Service.
We do not include a departure transfer as this is more easily arranged during the last few days of your visit.
Where we include a domestic flight in China you are responsible for any additional charges imposed by the airline including those relating to baggage in excess of the standard allowance (normally 20 kilograms).
You are responsible for obtaining the correct visa for your journey and for all costs associated with that visa application.
There are many other sites that you could visit during your journey. We cover the cost of those sites included in the itinerary. You are responsible for all other entrance fees.
You are responsible for the cost of all drinks other than those provided with included meals.
Your Journey Leader is not included in the standard gratuities. We expect you will thoroughly appreciate their services throughout your journey and will tip accordingly.

We hope to have achieved the right balance between organised activities and free time.

Your Guide will offer suggestions for the free time. You may do as many of these as you like, or something completely different.

Please note: You can click on any photo to toggle between sizes

1 - Hidden Gems

This journey begins in Beijing. If you need advice or assistance getting to Beijing then please Contact Us

We visit the Ancient Observatory to the East of the city. This under-rated site contains an eclectic collection of both Chinese and Western astronomical instruments.

The Jesuits had a large influence at court for a while, mostly because their instruments and calculations were more accurate.

The delight is in seeing western instruments made to Chinese designs - with dragons and other strange beasts forming supports and decorations.

The explanations around the site relate traditional beliefs to the scientific phenomena observed. Look out for the Golden Bird covered by a Toad; obviously a solar eclipse.

Later we will head north to Jiaodaokou where a number of interesting sites are congregated.

We will visit:

the Yonghe Gong Lama Monastery, home to the Panchen Lama when he is in Beijing;
the Temple of Confucius, once a very important site but now sadly forgotten. The temple contains some original Yuan Dynasty architecture; and
the very tranquil Imperial Academy where the very best candidates prepared for their government examinations.

This program allows for unhurried visits. We may include other gems at no extra charge if time permits.

In the evening we will head to Houhai, a scenic lake area with a variety of restaurants and bars.

Meals:

Lunch, Dinner

Sightseeing:

Approximate driving time,

2.0 hours

Accommodation:

4-Star Hotel

2 - Ancient Temples

We leave Beijing the city for an excursion to Mentougou District where two temples have survived the ravages of time.

The Tanzhe Temple is said to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Beijing. The temple gets its name from the zhe, a type of Mulberry tree, growing within the grounds.

In Chinese culture Mulberry trees are associated with fertility. This temple has therefore attracted Royal patronage, most notably in the Ming Dynasty.

Perhaps more importantly, many powerful court eunuchs also sought to compensate for their childless lives by burying their amputated parts at the site hoping for some sort of blessing in the life to follow.

Later we visit the nearby Jietai Temple. This site is noted for its ancient trees and an exquisitely carved marble ordination altar.

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sightseeing:

Approximate driving time,

3.0 hours

Accommodation:

4-Star Hotel

3 - Hutongs and Fragrant Hills

In the morning we explore a hutong, one of Beijing's traditional alleyway residential areas with courtyard houses.

We have included a family visit where you will not only stop for lunch but help prepare it. There is a short lesson on stuffing dumplings and then everyone can join in as your guide translates questions and answers.

In the afternoon we head out to the Fragrant Hills Park where the lovely Azure Clouds Temple with its towering Diamond Throne Pagoda sits atop the summit.

Please note: The day's activities are planned to end mid-afternoon. You can therefore plan to continue your travels this evening. If you want to stay in the city for a bit longer to do your own thing then you can easily book extra nights at the same hotel with us.

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch

Sightseeing:

Approximate driving time,

3.5 hours

Click on the date you want and you will be taken to our secure shopping cart hosted by Romancart.com. Pay the non-refundable deposit to reserve your place.

For those departures coloured Green you may pay only the deposit. Orange departures are those now within the period where the full balance is required. Grey dates are those where we cannot accept bookings automatically. If you would like to join one of these departures please Contact Us.

In the next stage you will be able to select the number of places, remove items or continue shopping.

You will be offered the opportunity to add Extra Services during the Checkout process.

Follow this link for a fuller explanation of the Booking Process.

For help with your Booking call our 24/7 Sales Support team on +44 (0)844 567 0953

China Holidays 2012

You may choose to pay the balance and single supplement at the same time. These amounts would be refundable subject to our Booking Conditions

A single supplement is compulsory for all travellers not sharing a room. This is due with the final balance, so may be paid later in most cases.

We require a minimum group size of two to operate. If your booking is for two or more then the departure is guaranteed by us (but still subject to circumstances beyond our control).

We will operate departures for one person on payment of an additional Solo Supplement. This may not be your preferred option but could well be better than cancelling once you have time off work and flights all arranged.

Reviews:

It is not necessary to specify a date with this option. We will email you afterwards to ensure that we understand your plans correctly.

All requests are subject to availability. Deposits will be refunded in full if the option is not available.

If you would like to book a date within the next 30 days we recommend that you Contact Us before paying a deposit.

To pay the amount in full now Click below.

(Please note: Full payment is required for bookings within 60 days.)

China Holidays 2013

You may choose to pay the balance and single supplement at the same time. These amounts would be refundable subject to our Booking Conditions

A single supplement is compulsory for all travellers not sharing a room. This is due with the final balance, so may be paid later in most cases.

We require a minimum group size of two to operate. If your booking is for two or more then the departure is guaranteed by us (but still subject to circumstances beyond our control).

We will operate departures for one person on payment of an additional Solo Supplement. This may not be your preferred option but could well be better than cancelling once you have time off work and flights all arranged.

Reviews:

It is not necessary to specify a date with this option. We will email you afterwards to ensure that we understand your plans correctly.

All requests are subject to availability. Deposits will be refunded in full if the option is not available.

If you would like to book a date within the next 30 days we recommend that you Contact Us before paying a deposit.

To pay the amount in full now Click below.

(Please note: Full payment is required for bookings within 60 days.)

Reviews
An in-depth look at one particular place.
Get to the places most tours skip.
There are no relevant reviews for this journey
Extensions
Options for you to extend your journey.
A flexible approach to travel in China.

Please note: There may be sections (usually only flights) where you are unescorted. These are noted in the relevant itineraries.
Beyond Beijing: Chengde
Extra Services
Additional travel arrangements to fit in with your other plans.
Hotels
£
Per night
Beijing Hotel90
Guide/driver services
£
Half day£
Full day
Beijing, guide onlyTBATBA
Beijing, guide & driverTBATBA
Prices quoted here are for a maximum of two passengers within Beijing City. Other prices available upon request.
Flights
£
Economy
Beijing - ChengduTBA
Beijing - GuangzhouTBA
Beijing - GuilinTBA
Beijing - KunmingTBA
Beijing - LanzhouTBA
Beijing - ShanghaiTBA
Beijing - UrumqiTBA
Trains
£
Soft sleeper
Beijing - Guangzhou114
Beijing - LanzhouTBA
Beijing - Shanghai78
Space here is limited. Only services relevant to this journey are shown. You can see the full range of Extra Services here.
Please Contact Us if you require any other services not listed.

Tab 5

Beijing Review

Features

Extra Services

Inclusions

Exclusions

China Holidays 2012

China Holidays 2013

Reviews

Extensions

Extra Services